Garage Door Motors Explained: Types, Common Problems, and How to Choose the Right One

A garage door motor is an electric device that operates and controls the movement of your garage door. The motor works by moving the door upwards and downwards along the installed overhead tracks. Mounted near the centre of the garage door's upper track and attached to the ceiling of the garage, it lifts the door vertically along the track by pulling it toward the motor. Once you press the button on the wall or the remote control to the garage door motor, an electric current will energise the motor causing it to rotate. The motor rotates either by a chain, belt, screw, or direct-drive system.

Knowing how a garage door motor functions along with the various types of motors available, can assist the homeowner in deciding what type of motor is best for them when repairing or replacing their garage door motor.

Types of Garage Door Motor Openers

Garage door opener motors have been manufactured in many different drive systems, each offering its own advantages and disadvantages.

Garage Door Motor Openers with Chain Drives

Chain drive garage door openers are manufactured with a metal chain, like a chain used on a bicycle, for the operation of lifting or lowering the garage door. Chain drives are the strongest of the garage door motor openers and can lift the heaviest garage doors. Chain drives are also the most affordable option available.

Due to the heavy construction of chain drive motors, they do tend to produce noise while in operation, especially if attached to the house. A regular maintenance schedule will include the need to lubricate and adjust the garage door motor to maintain proper operation as well as to reduce wear on the unit.

Garage Door Motor Openers with Belt Drive

Unlike chain drive systems, belt drive garage door motors (technically referred to as "belt driven") use a reinforced rubber or synthetic belt in place of a chain. The belt can absorb vibrations and as a result they typically operate significantly quieter than chain drives. Because belt drives operate smoothly and quietly, many homeowners Favor them for garages that are near their living spaces.

Despite being substantially more costly than chain drives, belt drives stand to offer great durability and dependability. In most cases, belts can stretch or wear over time, but they typically require very little maintenance.

Screw-Operated Garage Door Openers

Screw-driven openers use a threaded steel rod to move the trolley as the motor rotates. Because there are fewer moving parts within the system, screw-driven openers generally require less maintenance than chain drives or belt drives.

Screw-driven openers perform well in garages that have low ceilings and typically operate at moderate levels of noise (less than chain drives but more than belt drives). One disadvantage to screw-driven garage door openers is that they are sensitive to extreme temperature changes (very hot or very cold).

Direct Drive Garage Door Openers

Direct drive openers utilize the motor to travel along the rail, eliminating the need for belts, chains or screws. Because there is only one moving part, direct-drive openers are extremely quiet and provide extremely reliable performance.

Of all the garage door opener types, direct drive systems offer the lowest amount of noise, but direct-drive garage door openers tend to be much more expensive than other garage door openers and are therefore not as popular.

Smart (Wi-Fi) Garage Door Openers

Smart garage door openers do not revolve around the type of drive used but are, instead, powerfully enhanced by technology. Smart garage door openers allow the homeowner to open and close their garage doors using a smart phone (via an app), receive notifications of activity, and integrate with voice assistant technology.

Smart garage door openers also offer enhanced security features and provide additional comfort and convenience for the homeowner. Smart garage door openers are priced higher than standard drive-based garage door openers and require a stable and reliable internet connection to utilize the remote features.

Common Problems with Garage Door Motors

Every homeowner has probably experienced at least one issue regarding their motorized garage door. Here is a list of some common problems, their causes and solutions:

Garage Door Motor Will Not Operate at All

If the garage door motor is completely dead, usually this relates back to power loss. The most typical methods of determining whether there is power available to the garage door motor are checking to make sure it is plugged in and there has not been a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Most likely the cause of this type of issue would be due to a wall outlet or wall switch being disconnected, a keyless and/or remote lock button malfunctioning or being locked out by their owner.

If after checking all electrical issues have been ruled out, then there may be a need for a professional service.

Remote Control or Keypad Will Not Function

Most of the time replacing batteries in either a keyless entry pad or remote control will solve this issue. If the issue persists after replacing batteries, then the remote control or keyless entry pad may need to be re-programmed. Sometimes, a safety sensor being blocked or malfunctioning will prevent a garage door from functioning correctly.

Garage Door Opener Running but Door Does Not Move

This issue occurs when the motor is still operational, yet the garage door cannot raise because the garage door opener may have gone into manual mode because of an emergency release cord being pulled. A broken or severed drive chain or belt could also cause the garage door to remain in this state. Additionally, insufficient lubrication of garage door components or weather-related binding may also cause rollers within the track to cause an inability for the garage door to move freely.

The Garage Door Opener Makes Excessive Noise

Strange and/or new noises should not be ignored. Light squeaking noises may often be expected, but if you hear grinding, rattling or popping noises that haven't been present before, you should investigate the source. Noise could be caused by worn out gear teeth from regular use or loose hardware. Noise may also indicate improper lubrication. Openers with chains and screws have been around the longest and tend to become louder as they age. Regular maintenance may help with excessive noise, but when it occurs, it is advisable that a technician examines the opener.

Garage Door Reverses While Closing

Garage doors closing halfway but reversing indicate the safety sensors are the likely culprit. Sensors need to be correctly aligned, clean of any blockages from dirt or debris for the opener to function correctly as they are a safety feature.

There are also possible incorrect settings of the opener, so do not bypass as there are safety issues associated with this situation.

Selecting the Best Garage Door Opener

Selecting the best garage door opener for you will depend on how you will use the garage, the layout of your home, and your priorities.

Garage Noise Tolerance

For those houses where the garage is attached and used as a living space, quiet operation of an opener is very important. Direct drive openers and belt driven will give you quiet and smooth operation. If noise is not an issue, chain driven openers are the most cost-effective option.

Garage Size and Door Weight

Heavy or wider double garage doors require more powerful openers than standard doors. Most residential openers produce between ½ horsepower to ¾, which is suitable for most standard garage doors. Heavy doors will often need higher horsepower to prevent over-stressing the motor.

Garage Use Frequency

If you regularly use your garage, you will need an open that has been designed for repetitive daily use. If you use your garage only occasionally, a basic opener will typically suffice.

Garage Opener Budget

Chain driven garage openers represent the most affordable option. Performance and noise level, as well as any additional features offered, become more influenced by the price difference between the various openers (belt-driven, direct-drive, and smart).

Balancing the initial expense of an opener against the long-term reliability and performance is really the key.

Garage Layout and Environmental Conditions

Wall-mounted garage openers may need to be used if you have low ceilings or odd-shaped layouts in your home. Areas in which you live may also contribute to the performance of screws.

All the above factors may help homeowners to select an opener that meets all the functional, budgetary, and comfort needs of each individual homeowner.

Conclusion

A garage door motor is vital for the proper functioning and safety of your home. Therefore, it is important that every homeowner makes an informed and educated choice regarding which type of garage door is best for them, based on understanding the different garage door motors available, the common problems associated with garage doors and what factors should be considered when selecting a new opener to ensure maximum performance and safety for years to come.